PSA Peugeot Citroën (previously Peugeot Société Anonyme) is a French automobile and motorcycle manufacturer; these are sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. The PSA Peugeot Citroën is owned by Peugeot S.A. holding company.
In 1974 Peugeot S.A. acquired a 38.2% share of Citroën. In 1976 they increased their stake of the now bankrupt company to 89.95%, thus creating the PSA Group (where PSA is short for Peugeot Société Anonyme, later to be changed to PSA Peugeot Citroën). Since Citroën had two successful new designs in the market at this time (the GS and CX) and Peugeot was typically prudent in its own finances, the PSA venture was a financial success from 1976 to 1979. In 1979, PSA purchased the ageing assets of Chrysler Europe for USD $1 billion, leading to losses for the consortium from 1980 to 1985. During this period, PSA lost its traditional competitive footing in the executive car market and has never recovered.
